The NCAA season is less than a month away, I think it's safe to say that the next NCAA title will probably come from this conference, so I thought I would preview the teams and opine who might win the conference—
Group 1 (In finishing order) - LSU, Oklahoma, Florida
I believe if OU did not have the bizarre collapse last year, this year was supposed to be LSU's year of firsts, so they might get 2 for one, so to speak. Not only do they have a whopping 10 seniors, the majority of the seniors are the primary contributors and just enough underclassmen talent to augment those seniors. Plus LSU gets Florida and OU at home which is going to be bonkers scoring nights. OU will feel the pain of losing Ragan and Kat even with a competition-ready group of freshmen. Florida would be in better shape if not dealing with the two Achilles tears, although I expect they might be contributing in some way at the end of the season. They also have to go to OU and LSU.
Group 2 - Missouri, Arkansas, Georgia
Missouri is probably my stretch here. I am leaning on a veteran group (8 seniors), coupled with the surprising return of Helen Hu to lead a solid growth in scoring. Arkansas, I expect more of the solid, steady growth that Jordyn has shown over the last 5 years. I don't see any significant loses and getting Waligora from Bama and Roberson, who is going to be one of those freshman exception contributors, is my reason for this placement. Georgia is a bit of a wild-card. They have no senior leadership to provide a steadying guiding influence for a largely underclassman team. This could be problematic given all the changes and its impact on team chemistry (Kara Eaker back after a year off, several extra transfers, girls unsure who are going to be one of the 4 cut at the end of the season, new co-head coach). I am hearing mixed things about the team that give me pause. Still they have a talented group of youth particularly that sophomore class which should carry them. I am not completely sold on the co-head coach approach though, so it will be interesting to watch this season.
Group 3 - Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky
Auburn could easily slide up to that second group (Honestly everyone in Group 2 and 3 could change places, I just had to pick). They have a very strong freshman class and a large experienced senior group. Bama, I was surprised compiling this list, has really lost a lot of contributing talent. I think Ashley's group is going to slide back a little as they continue to install their culture or Bamaly as they like to call it. They will be fine down the road, but this year will be growth. Finally Kentucky cannot just replace the queen Worley. Kinda like Bama, except it is just a matter of reloading talent versus adjusting to a new culture.
Overall, this conference is loaded top to bottom. I mean really, who do you pick to finish last?! I do think LSU, OU and Florida are just in a slightly different category. Storylines I am interested in? 1. Georgia, do they surprise everyone or do they struggle to adjust with new coaching and team chemistry? 2. LSU, does Jay look ahead to next year when the losses will be significant and balance giving a talented, but unproven group of underclassmen experience or will he just keep business as usual? 3. How does OU respond not only to the bitter taste to how they ended the season but also the new conference?
My Take:
In general, I am not putting too much weight into highly ranked freshman as major contributors/difference makers. History has shown that there might be only a handful that will be significant for a few teams but on balance they spend the first year, adjusting and spot duty. That is not to say they won't make the team better, I just don't think one can base a team's performance solely on a strong freshman group.Group 1 (In finishing order) - LSU, Oklahoma, Florida
I believe if OU did not have the bizarre collapse last year, this year was supposed to be LSU's year of firsts, so they might get 2 for one, so to speak. Not only do they have a whopping 10 seniors, the majority of the seniors are the primary contributors and just enough underclassmen talent to augment those seniors. Plus LSU gets Florida and OU at home which is going to be bonkers scoring nights. OU will feel the pain of losing Ragan and Kat even with a competition-ready group of freshmen. Florida would be in better shape if not dealing with the two Achilles tears, although I expect they might be contributing in some way at the end of the season. They also have to go to OU and LSU.
Group 2 - Missouri, Arkansas, Georgia
Missouri is probably my stretch here. I am leaning on a veteran group (8 seniors), coupled with the surprising return of Helen Hu to lead a solid growth in scoring. Arkansas, I expect more of the solid, steady growth that Jordyn has shown over the last 5 years. I don't see any significant loses and getting Waligora from Bama and Roberson, who is going to be one of those freshman exception contributors, is my reason for this placement. Georgia is a bit of a wild-card. They have no senior leadership to provide a steadying guiding influence for a largely underclassman team. This could be problematic given all the changes and its impact on team chemistry (Kara Eaker back after a year off, several extra transfers, girls unsure who are going to be one of the 4 cut at the end of the season, new co-head coach). I am hearing mixed things about the team that give me pause. Still they have a talented group of youth particularly that sophomore class which should carry them. I am not completely sold on the co-head coach approach though, so it will be interesting to watch this season.
Group 3 - Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky
Auburn could easily slide up to that second group (Honestly everyone in Group 2 and 3 could change places, I just had to pick). They have a very strong freshman class and a large experienced senior group. Bama, I was surprised compiling this list, has really lost a lot of contributing talent. I think Ashley's group is going to slide back a little as they continue to install their culture or Bamaly as they like to call it. They will be fine down the road, but this year will be growth. Finally Kentucky cannot just replace the queen Worley. Kinda like Bama, except it is just a matter of reloading talent versus adjusting to a new culture.
Overall, this conference is loaded top to bottom. I mean really, who do you pick to finish last?! I do think LSU, OU and Florida are just in a slightly different category. Storylines I am interested in? 1. Georgia, do they surprise everyone or do they struggle to adjust with new coaching and team chemistry? 2. LSU, does Jay look ahead to next year when the losses will be significant and balance giving a talented, but unproven group of underclassmen experience or will he just keep business as usual? 3. How does OU respond not only to the bitter taste to how they ended the season but also the new conference?
